Track means combined with simulated stunt hoop for toy vehicles

ABSTRACT

A HOOP OR RING ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH TOY VEHICLES. THE HOOP IS PROVIDED WITH AN INSERT OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL IMPRINTED WITH A FLAME PATTERN AND CUT SO AS TO DEFLECT OUTWARDLY TO ALOLOW A TOY VEHICLE TO PASS THERETHROUGH THEREBY SIMULATING THE VEHICLE LEAPING OR DRIVING THROUGH FLAMES.

Nov. 23, 1971 J BARCUS ETAL 3,621,602

TRACK MEANS COMBINED WITH SIMULATED STUNT HOOP FOR TOY VEHICLES l FiledSe t. 25, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JACK 1. 842005 5752 7.- STORM/0NHTTORA/EV NOV. 23, 1971 BARCUS ETAL TRACK MEANS COMBINED WITH SIMULATEDSTUNT HOOP FOR TOY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 25, 1 969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2lA/VEA/TQEJ 3346K L .BA-Qcus ZESZ'EP 7. STOBMOA ATTOEA/EV United StatesPatent 3,621,602 TRACK MEANS DOMBINED WITH SIMULATED STUNT HOOP FOR TOYVEHICLES Jack L. liarcus, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and Lester T.

Stormon, Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignors to Mattel,

llnc., Hawthorne, Calif.

Filed Sept. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 861,053 Int. Cl. A63h 33/00 US. Cl. 461 K8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hoop or ring accessory for usewith toy vehicles. The hoop is provided with an insert of flexiblematerial imprinted with a flame pattern and cut so as to deflectoutwardly to allow a toy vehicle to pass therethrough thereby simulatingthe vehicle leaping or driving through flames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toaccessories for toy vehicles and more particularly, to an improved hoopwhich simulates a toy vehicle passing through a ring of fire or tearingthrough a sheet of solid material.

In recent years, toy automobiles both powered and gravity actuated thattraverse track systems have become increasingly popular. In order toincrease the play value of these types of toys and in turn make themmore saleable, many accessories such as loop-the-loop tracks, jumps andlap counters are available in conjunction with these toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general aim of the present inventionto provide a new and improved accessory for toy automobiles that allowsit to simulate jumping or passing through a ring of fire or crashthrough a solid sheet of material.

It is another object of the invention to provide an accessory for a toycar and track set which is relatively low in cost and which addsconsiderably to the excitement and enjoyment of playing with the toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of theinvention will appear from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary hoop or ring embodyingthe features of the present invention used in conjunction with a jumpaccessory;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, taken substantially along the line 22of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of the hoop, taken substantially alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a toy vehicle passing through theexemplary hoop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the hoop of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an insert for use with the present invention depicting asimulated flame or ring of fire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While the present invention issusceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions,illustrative embodiments are shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, an exemplary hoop, generallyindicated at 10, is illustrated, the hoop including a frame 11, aninsert 12 and a retaining ring 14. As here shown, the hoop is fixedlyinserted into a jump approach ramp 16 which is connected to track icesection 17 and elevated from the ground by trestle 19. A second jumplanding ramp 16a is spaced from and in alignment with ramp 16.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the presentinvention, provision is made for having the center of the hoop 10 appearto be or simulate a solid sheet of material or flame and yet allow a toyvehicle to pass readily through the hoop without substantially retardingthe movement of the vehicle or damaging the hoop. This is accomplishedby providing the center of the hoop with an insert 12 which gives theappearance of being solid, yet which is readily deformable and separableif a toy vehicle passes therethrough and return to its originalconfiguration thereafter. Referring to FIGS. 4- 6, the insert 12 is asheet of flexible material such as plastic which comprises a pluralityof several portions or leaves 20 which are generally aflixed about thecircumference of the frame 11 and open outwardly from the central areaof the hoop 10.

In order to increase the flexibility of the leaves 20 and preventpossible tearing of the insert 12, a plurality of aperture-s 22 may beprovided about the periphery of the leaves 20 at their common junction.

To attach the hoop 10 to the ramp 16, a pair of tabs 251F 16. 5) areintegrally provided in the frame 11 and as best seen in FIG. 2, areadapted to be removably inserted between the ramp 16 and the trestle 19.

In operation, as figuratively depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4, a toy vehicle27 (FIG. 4) rapidly moving on track 17 rolls up the ramp 16 through thehoop, and jumps through a space and lands on ramp 16a which directs thevehicle 27 back to track 17. As seen in FIG. 4, as the toy vehicle 27passes through the hoop 10, the leaves 20 separate, thus allowing thevehicle to freely pass through. In order to add additional realism andexcitement to the instant invention, a simulated flame pattern may beprinted on the insert 12 so that when the leaves 20 are separated, itproduces the illusion of flames licking about the vehicle 27 as itpasses through the hoop. While not shown, an insert 12 could be providedwith brick or timber indicia printed thereon to produce the illusion ofthe vehicle breaking through a solid Wall.

In order to use various inserts 12 in conjunction With the hoop 10',provision is made to allow the inserts to be readily removable. As shownin FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of protrusions 30 are provided about theframe 11 which are adapted to engage corresponding holes 31 in theinsert 12. The retaining ring 14 can then be snapped into the frame 11to maintain the insert in place and provide peripheral support.

While the hoop has been depicted in the illustrated embodiment as beingattached to the end of the approach ramp 16, it could also be positionedat the end of the receiving ramp 16a, disposed intermediate the tworamps on its own support or placed on a flat section of track 17 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use with a miniature toy vehicle, comprising:

track means for directing a toy vehicle along a predetermined path;

a hoop having an opening therein of a size to permit a toy vehicle topass therethrough, said hoop being so positioned relative to said trackmeans that said predetermined path extends through said opening; and

a plurality of flexible sheet material elements supported by said hoop,adjacent the periphery of said opening and extending inwardly thereofacross said predetermined path, said elements being capable of beingresiliently deflected from said path by a my vehicle moving therealongand through said opening.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elements are partof an integral sheet of flexible material.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elements areprovided with surface features to simulate fire and flame.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hoop is attachedto an inclined track section for use with toy vehicles.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hoop is disposedintermediate two inclined track sections for use with toy vehicleswhereby a toy vehicle traversing said inclined track section will jumpthrough said hoop.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elementssubstantially close said opening when they are in their normal positionsand deflect outwardly from the central portion of said opening when atoy vehicle passes theretlhr'ough.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said integral sheet offlexible material is removably attached to said hoop.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said elements areprovided with surface features to simulate a solid material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,510,995 10/1924 Lockyer 27386 G1,780,081 10/1930 Keiser 27386 B UX 2,218,164 10/1940 Carpenter 27386 B2,036,524 4/1936 Girard et al. s 272--85 2,708,927 5/1955 Dixon et al.160-180 3,218,757 11/1965 Benkoe 46--202 3,502,332 3/1970 Wolf 46202 XFOREIGN PATENTS 293,751 8/1969 Australia 160-179 F. BA-R'RY SHAY,Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

